Cultural TriangleSigiriya
The lion rock above the forest
A fifth-century royal citadel on top of a 200-metre rock, with water gardens below and wide views from the summit.
2–3 nights
Destinations
From ancient capitals to tea country and quiet beaches. Filter by region or travel style, or search by name.
- Cultural Triangle
Cultural TriangleDambulla
Painted caves in the rock
A cave temple complex filled with Buddha statues and painted ceilings, used as a place of worship for over two thousand years.
Day visit – 1 night
Cultural TriangleAnuradhapura
The first great capital
Vast brick stupas, sacred trees and ancient reservoirs spread across one of South Asia's oldest cities.
1–2 nights
Cultural TrianglePolonnaruwa
A medieval royal city
Compact, well-preserved ruins of palaces, temples and the rock-carved Buddhas of Gal Vihara beside a large ancient reservoir.
Day visit – 1 night
Cultural TriangleMinneriya & Kaudulla
Where the elephants gather
National parks around ancient reservoirs where large herds of wild elephants come to graze, especially in the dry season.
Day visit – 1 night
- Hill Country
Kandy
The last royal capital
A green lakeside city in the hills, home to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and the starting point for the scenic railway.
1–2 nights
Hill CountryNuwara Eliya & tea country
Cool air and endless green
A highland town among tea estates, waterfalls and misty hills, with colonial-era bungalows and fresh mountain air.
1–2 nights
Hill CountryElla
Hikes, bridges and hill-country views
A relaxed mountain village with short hikes, tea estates, waterfalls and the famous Nine Arches Bridge.
2–3 nights
Hill CountryHaputale
On the edge of the highlands
A quiet ridge-top town with tea estates, Lipton's Seat viewpoint and some of the widest views in the hill country.
1–2 nights
Hill CountryScenic train journeys
Slow travel through the clouds
The hill-country railway between Kandy and Ella winds past tea estates, waterfalls and tunnels — one of the great train rides in Asia.
On the way
Hill CountryAdam's Peak (Sri Pada)
A night climb to a sacred sunrise
A pilgrimage mountain climbed by night on thousands of steps, to watch the sunrise and the peak's shadow from the summit.
1 night
Hill CountryHorton Plains
Highland plains and World's End
A high plateau of grassland and cloud forest, with a loop walk to the dramatic cliff known as World's End.
On the way
South CoastYala
Leopard country
Sri Lanka's best-known national park, with dry forest, lagoons and rocky outcrops — and one of the world's best chances to see a wild leopard.
1–2 nights
South CoastUdawalawe
Elephants in the open
Open grassland around a large reservoir, known for frequent elephant sightings and an elephant rehabilitation centre nearby.
1 night
South CoastSinharaja
The last great rainforest
A UNESCO-listed tropical rainforest full of endemic birds, giant trees and streams, explored on foot with a local naturalist.
1–2 nights
Colombo & West CoastColombo
The lively capital by the sea
Sri Lanka's commercial capital, with colonial architecture, busy markets, a seafront promenade and an exciting food scene.
Day visit – 1 night
South CoastGalle Fort
A walled town by the ocean
A UNESCO-listed fortified town with ramparts, a lighthouse, cobbled lanes, boutiques and cafés.
1–2 nights
South CoastMirissa
Palm-lined beach and whale watching
A crescent beach with relaxed restaurants, palm-topped rocks and boat trips to look for whales and dolphins.
2–4 nights
South CoastWeligama
Learn to surf in a sheltered bay
A wide sandy bay with gentle waves, popular with beginner surfers, and a working fishing town.
2–4 nights
South CoastUnawatuna
A sheltered bay near Galle
A protected, curved bay with calmer water in season, snorkelling spots and the small Jungle Beach nearby.
2–4 nights
Colombo & West CoastBentota
Long beaches and river life
Wide golden beaches, resort hotels and a calm river lagoon for boat trips, close to Colombo and the airport.
2–4 nights
East CoastTrincomalee
Clear water on the east coast
A natural harbour town with the clifftop Koneswaram temple, white beaches at Nilaveli and snorkelling at Pigeon Island.
2–4 nights
East CoastPasikuda
The calm shallow bay
A long, very shallow bay protected by a reef, where the water stays calm and clear far out from the shore.
2–4 nights
East CoastArugam Bay
Surf town on the east coast
A laid-back surf village with famous point breaks, lagoons full of birdlife and a relaxed, international atmosphere.
2–4 nights
The NorthJaffna
Tamil culture in the far north
The cultural capital of Sri Lanka's Tamil north, with grand Hindu temples, distinctive cuisine and quiet islands.
2–3 nights